One
child is a relationship. Raising two or more is a small business.
To stay sane after having the
second child, you need to organize and plan effectively.
What follows are 8 home organization
tips for keeping family life on track as school events, pediatrician
appointments and errands multiply.
*Keep a "Waiting For" file. My
file currently contains: birthday invitations responded to, information
on my girls' upcoming dance recital, and receipts for uniforms
on order. Without this file, these papers would be on my desk.
*Read the school newsletter. Skip
the newsletter and the school gods will get you. Your kid will
arrive in uniform on costume day. You'll find out about the big
pilgrim event after the turkey's been roasted. Note newsletter
events - then look for them to change in the next newsletter.
*Get an electronic organizer. As
the family grows, so do the number of regularly scheduled events.
Kids' activities, PTA meetings - why record these by hand each
week when you can program them to repeat? The best gift I got preparing
for a second child was a Palm organizer.
*Keep spring open. Once
the kids start school, May and June are as busy as December. Schedule
a business trip during the last month of school and you risk missing
an important event. Keep your calendar as clear as possible during
this time.
*Create an inbox for your mate. You
swear you left it on the counter for him. He hasn't seen it. Avoid
conflict by giving your spouse an inbox. Put the roofing estimate
job in the box and place flowers on the counter.
*Meet with your spouse. Plans
made in passing don't always register. Men are lousy at multitasking.
Women get overwhelmed at home. Sit down and compare calendars.
Start by scheduling date night.
*Consider birthday parties optional. The
more kids you have, the more invitations you get. Pass on those
that don't fit your schedule. But RSVP so the busy birthday parent
can plan.
*Preserve free time. My
favorite days with my girls are the unscheduled ones. Set aside
time to just hang out together. It's as important as anything else
you'll do.
(c) 2006 Jennifer Bingham Hull.
Reprint rights granted as long as the article is published in its
entirety, including the resource box and its live links.
About the Author
Jennifer
Bingham Hull is an award-winning author and mother of two. Her
book, Beyond One: Growing a Family and Getting a Life,
looks at life after the second child. To learn more, visit www.growingafamily.com,
where you can contact her to receive this "Life Beyond One" column
regularly and sign up for her free newsletter.
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